Podcast Summary

The 241 Plot: The Alaska Militia Conspiracy

Podcast: Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Episode Date: March 25, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Vanessa Richardson delves into the story of Schaefer Cox, a young Alaskan gun rights advocate who transitioned from political hopeful to militia leader, plotting a violent campaign against government officials. The episode unpacks the motivations behind Cox’s actions, the formation of the Alaska Peacemakers militia, and how paranoia, manipulation, and a sense of persecution led to the infamous 241 Plot—a chilling plan to target government officers in retaliation for perceived government aggression.

The episode explores how Cox’s trajectory reflects broader trends in anti-government movements and highlights the danger of conspiratorial thinking when it escalates to real-world violence. Richardson analyzes the rise and fall of Cox, the role of FBI informants, his eventual conviction, and the legacy of the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life of Schaefer Cox ([02:30]–[06:00])

• Survival Story: The public first hears of Schaefer Cox in 2005 after a near-death hiking experience on Baranof Island; he credits his will to survive to not wanting his wife to be a widow.
• Background: Born to a Baptist minister in Colorado, named after Francis Schaeffer (a founder of the conservative evangelical movement), Cox aspires to influence, moving to Alaska as a teen, building a rugged personal brand, and starting a landscaping and construction business.

2. Political Ambitions and The Sovereign Citizen Influence ([06:00]–[11:30])

• Political Run: At 24, he runs for the Alaska House of Representatives (2008) as a Republican, promoting libertarian values and opposing “real ID.”
• Advocacy: Becomes a vocal supporter of Ron Paul and leverages his adventurous persona.
• Quote – Independence:
  “He believed that everyone had a right to independence, free of government interference.” — Vanessa Richardson [07:45]
• Sovereign Citizen Links: Gains support from the sovereign citizen movement, which holds anti-government, anti-bureaucratic beliefs: “It’s not right versus left, it’s the state versus you.” — Schaefer Cox quoted by Vanessa Richardson [12:14]
• Impact of the 2008 Crash: Anti-government sentiments rise in wake of the economic crisis, fueling movements like Cox’s.

3. Rise of Alaska’s Militia Scene & Public Scrutiny ([11:30]–[18:00])

• Founding Groups: After losing the primary, Cox establishes the Second Amendment Task Force and later the Alaska Peacemakers militia.
  • First Task Force meeting draws 150 people; swells to hundreds for subsequent gatherings.
• Militia Activity: Public open carry demonstrations and declarations advocating armed resistance to government overreach.
• Expanding Reputation:
  “We’ve got engineers that make GPS jammers, cell phone jammers, bombs, and all sorts of nifty stuff ... It’s all set.” — Paraphrased from Schaefer Cox’s speech [15:45]
• Monitoring: Draws attention from the Anti-Defamation League, Southern Poverty Law Center, and eventually the FBI after inflammatory statements about the militia’s capacity.
• FBI Infiltration: By mid-2010, FBI informants join the Peacemakers.

4. Escalating Tensions: Violence, Paranoia, and Legal Trouble ([17:45]–[22:15])

• Domestic Violence Incident: Arrested for assaulting his wife, gets probation. At a subsequent police encounter, arrested for weapons misconduct.
• Paranoia:
  “He claimed the government had recruited a hit squad from Aurora, Colorado, to kill him.” — Vanessa Richardson [19:55]
• Community Response: Allies begin to distance themselves; even Congressman Don Young publicly rejects ties to Cox.
• Kangaroo Court: Supporters hold a mock hearing at Denny’s, “acquitting” him, signifying a break with legal reality.

5. Formation and Details of the 241 Plot ([22:23]–[28:45])

• Plot Inception: In February 2011, Cox and three others plan “two for one retaliation”—for every action against a militia member, two government officers will be targeted.
• Target Selection: Michael Anderson supplies a list of officials; the plan involves distraction tactics, ambushes, and potential house arson.
  • “If one of the Peacemakers got arrested, they would kidnap two law enforcement officers. If Schaefer lost his house, two cops were going to find their houses burned down.” — Vanessa Richardson [23:13]
• Internal Discord: Cox hesitates as plans get increasingly violent, leading to tension with co-plotter Lonnie Vernon.
• Armament Stockpiling: Large cache of weapons and grenades is prepared.
• Inaction and Arrest: Despite planning, the militia does not act. FBI and law enforcement descend and arrest the group on March 10, 2011 ([27:45]).

6. Investigation and Trial ([28:46]–[31:30])

• FBI Informant Recordings: Most evidence comes from recordings by informant Gerald Olson, who was motivated by a desire for a reduced sentence. Lack of warrant undermines state charges, but federal charges hold.
• Trial:
  • Cox adopts a drastically different persona in court, denying intent for violence, claims most boasts were bluster or for show.
  • Defense argues entrapment and lack of intent; prosecution points to meticulous plotting and arms stockpiling.
  • “The jury didn’t buy it.” — Vanessa Richardson [30:45]
• Conviction & Sentences:
  • Schaefer Cox: 310 months (~26 years) in federal prison.
  • Lonnie Vernon: 26 years.
  • Karen Vernon: 12 years.
  • Coleman Barney: 5 years.
  • Michael Anderson receives immunity for cooperation.

7. Aftermath and Reflection ([31:31]–[33:15])

• Post-Prison: Solicitation to murder conviction is dropped on appeal, but conspiracy conviction stands. Cox is reportedly released as of September 2024.
• Current Life:
  “Whatever Schaefer is up to now, it seems like he’s laying low. After all, he learned the hard way what happens when you go toe to toe with the U.S. government.” — Vanessa Richardson [32:55]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Gun Rights Activism:
  “It’s not right versus left, it’s the state versus you.” — Schaefer Cox, quoted [12:14]
• On Militia Exaggeration:
  “We’ve got rocket launchers and grenade launchers and claymores and machine guns and cavalry, and we’ve got boats. It’s all set.” — Schaefer Cox’s rally speech [15:45]
• On Paranoia:
  “He told the host that his associates were ready to kill on site if they saw any government hitmen.” — Vanessa Richardson, about Cox’s armed entourage [20:50]
• On Collapse of Reality:
  “His supporters gathered in the back room of a Denny’s and acquitted Schaefer Cox on all counts. Of course, this kangaroo court had no legal bearing on the case. But that didn’t matter to Schaefer. He was living in his own reality.” — Vanessa Richardson [21:15]
• On the Plot:
  “If one Peacemaker lost his life, two officers would die too.” — Vanessa Richardson [23:18]
• On the Trial Defense:
  “He claimed to idolize those who advocated non-violent protest. People like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr.” — Vanessa Richardson, on Cox’s contradictory narrative [30:18]
• Closing Reflection:
  “Whatever Schaefer is up to now, it seems like he’s laying low. After all, he learned the hard way what happens when you go toe to toe with the U.S. government. And maybe he’s not taking any more chances.” — Vanessa Richardson [32:55]

Important Timestamps

• [02:30] Introduction to Schaefer Cox’s background and first Alaskan news coverage
• [07:45] Cox’s political beliefs & motivations
• [12:14] Explanation of sovereign citizen philosophy and Cox’s rhetoric
• [15:45] Cox’s Montana rally speech and claims about militia capacity
• [19:55] Paranoia and claims of assassination plots against Cox
• [21:15] Kangaroo court and Cox’s complete break from legal reality
• [23:13] The mechanics of the 241 plot: targets and planned actions
• [27:45] Arrest of Schaefer Cox and associates
• [30:45] Trial outcome and sentencing
• [32:55] Reflections on Cox’s fate and lessons learned

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive and chilling exploration of how conspiracy thinking and persecution complexes can morph into violent plots, with Schaefer Cox’s story serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of radicalization and the seductive nature of anti-government rhetoric. Vanessa Richardson’s narrative underscores the thin line between activism and extremism—making clear that while conspiracy theories often begin as talk, they can spiral quickly into real-life crimes with devastating consequences.